AMP WLAN Energy-State Reporting for Reliable AP Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly those using IEEE 802.11 series, are inadequate for devices requiring ultra-low complexity, small form factor, and operation in extreme conditions, as they lack a reliable mechanism for ambient-power devices (AMP) to report their energy states, leading to resource wastage and transmission failures.
Innovation Solution
A method for AMP devices to report their energy states to the access point (AP) through energy-level status reports (ELSRs), using event-based triggering and piggybacking on data packets, with frames like action frames and wake-up radio (WUR) frames, enabling informed data scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the AP attempts to initiate communication with AMP STAs without knowing their energy states, then the network can maintain simple operation, but resource wastage and transmission failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where AMP STAs periodically report their energy states to the AP using energy-level status reports (ELSRs). This feedback loop enables the AP to adjust its communication strategy based on real-time energy information, preventing resource wastage and transmission failures while maintaining network reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary energy-state assessment before initiating data transmission. The AP requests energy-level status information from AMP STAs beforehand, allowing it to pre-determine whether the STA has sufficient energy for successful communication, thus avoiding futile transmission attempts.
2Reliability
If AMP devices continuously report energy states, then the AP has real-time awareness of energy levels, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous reporting, the patent employs periodic energy-state reports triggered by specific events such as threshold crossings (e.g., when energy levels exceed or fall below predefined thresholds). This periodic action maintains reliable energy-state awareness while significantly reducing unnecessary communication overhead and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The AMP STA autonomously determines when to report its energy state based on internal thresholds and conditions. The device self-regulates its reporting behavior to balance information accuracy with energy conservation, eliminating the need for continuous external prompting.
3Productivity
If the AP schedules data transmission without energy-state information, then data transmission can proceed continuously, but transmission failures increase when device energy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation in data scheduling based on energy-state information. The AP adjusts transmission parameters, timing, and allocation strategies in real-time according to the AMP STA's current energy level, optimizing both transmission efficiency and success rate through flexible, condition-based decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
Energy-state feedback enables the AP to dynamically modify data scheduling decisions. When energy levels are sufficient, the AP proceeds with normal transmission; when energy is low, the AP delays or adjusts transmission to ensure success, thereby improving overall transmission reliability without significantly impacting productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method has the steps of: obtaining information of an energy state of a first device, and sending to a second device an indication for indicating the information of the energy state.